When Cindy Sutherland moved from Waxahachie to Italy with her family in 1986, she had no idea that thirteen years later she would be on the path she has chosen today. Life sometimes deals us hard times. How we deal with these times sometimes tells others what we are made of and what is important to us.

When Cindy’s father became ill with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and moved to Trinity Mission here in Italy for rehabilitation, Cindy realized she needed an outlet for the stress connected to her father’s illness and to help her express what she was feeling. That is when Crosses by Cindy was born.

“As a Christian, I knew I had to rely on my faith in God to get me through this tough time,” Sutherland said. “I felt so frustrated that I could not care for my father like I wanted to because I had a job and a family of my own. The frustration was horrible.”

Sutherland prayed that God would help her find a way to deal with the stress and He answered her almost immediately. She began to create ceramic art. She told God that she wanted Him to get the glory from what she was creating. Not only could she create something beautiful, she got the pieces to work with by smashing ceramic tiles which felt really good.

“Smashing something with a hammer felt pretty good,” she said. “It was like therapy.”

Cindy’s faith has always been built on God and Jesus’ death on the cross for forgiveness of sin. The cross has been a special symbol of the gift God gave to the world. Hence, Crosses by Cindy.

“When I made my first cross, I had no idea that anyone else would want one, much less buy one. I am so happy to share the message of Christ with those that touch the crosses I make. God takes something sinful like we are and makes us beautiful in His sight. That is a little like what I do with the crosses. I take broken tile and create something unique and beautiful.”

After Cindy’s dad died three years ago, she realized she could get the message of God’s gift to people through her art. On the back of each cross are the words “He bore my cross” with the Bible verse from 1 John 4:9.

Cindy puts different things in the center of each cross. She is always looking for old jewelry or trinkets to use. She tries to keep the prices very economical for the special crosses. They are priced from $15 to $30.

Sutherland will sell her crosses at a craft show at the West Fraternal Hall this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. She will also take special orders since each cross she creates is a one of a kind. For more information or to purchase a cross, call (972) 483-6519.